Switching device



1,669,434 G. WERNER SWITCHING DEVICE Filed y 17. 1924 IN YE v To Q eEmea Wee/wag Patented May 15, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORG WERNER, 0F FRANKFORT-ON-THE-MAINT, GERMANY, ASSIGNOR TO ELEK- TRIZITAETS-GESELLSCHAFT, RICHTER, DR. WEIL 6c 00., AKTIENGESELLSGHAFT, 0]

FRANKFORT-ON-THE-MAIN, GERMANY.

SWITCHING nnvrcn.

Application filed May 17, 1924, Serial No.

This invention relates to a switching device for the electrical connection in any desired combination, of aplurality of points of electrical operation.

The object of the invention is a grouparrangement of resilient electric contact-s around a hollowspace into which a contact key provided with wards, similarly to an ordinary key, is inserted between these contacts'when any desired set of connections is to be effected.

Such switching locksmay be used for ex ample, in connection with illuminated advertising signs. The most simple arrangement of the so-called universal characters for illuminatedsign-writing is the following:Upon a rectangular base plate for example thirtyincandescent electric lamps are arranged in a chess-board pattern in five vertical rows of six lamps each. Each incandescent is-connected by a wire to a distant switch contact. All the other wires to the incandescent lamps are connected together in common and with the source of current. It is'now possible. by means of the centrally arranged switching contacts to switch-in all those incandescent lamps of the group, which in conjunction form a character.

If now the incandescent-lamps required, for example for all capital Latin letters are tabulated with numbers corresponding to their positions, then by means of the above mentioned. group of thirty incandescent lamps, it is possible to form all capital letters and obviously also the numerals-from Several rows of such universal characters are used to produce actual illuminated signwritings, and in order to transform each character within short intervals of time, for example ten seconds, a motor driven switch movement is employed. A comb consisting of such a number of metallic insulated teeth as corresponds to the number of illuminating spaces or incandescent lamps of the characters to be formed is arranged on the switch and the teeth of said comb are connected with the incandescent lamps. A metal drum provided with contact fingers and maintained in a step-wise rotation by means of a ratchet and pawl device, is arranged beneath the comb in such a way that 714,124, andzin Germany August 18, 1923.

the-teethzofthe comb come into contact with the contact fingers of the drum. Since the occupied fingers of the drum correspond to the illuminated character formed for the time being, the text of the group of letters formed is altered with each switching step ofthe drum.

\Vhen it is desired to alter the text of the illuminated writing another switching drum must be introduced in exactly the same way as in a mechanical music box, or the arrangement of contact fingers on the drum must be altered. I

Consequently the hitherto usual switching devices, were incapable of adaptation for suddenly required and rapidly changing news, for example in the case of elections and the like.

The device forming the subject of the present invention enables any desired illuminated signs to be produced without any preparation even by an entirely inexperienced staff.

In order more clearly to understand the invention reference is made to the accompanying drawing which shows by way of example one embodiment and arrangement of a switching device according to the invention.

Fig. l is a plan view of one of the brass strips.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing one of thebrass strips after it has beenibent for use in connection with the insulating plate.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of an insulating plate used as a part of the switch lock.

Fig. e is a detail side elevation of a construction showing the arrangement of contact springs in the form of columns when the device is used for illuminating signs.

Fig. 5 includes bottom plan and side elevation views of a contact key for the switching lock.

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a section of an illuminated sign and the wiring connections therefor leading to the switching device.

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the connections for an illuminated sign.

A number of resilient brass strips are formed as shown in Fig. 1. The end a is adapted to be connected by soldering whilst the lug 6 serves as a fastening means and the end forms the contact spring.- The lug b is bent over at right angles as shown in Fig. 2 and is laid upon an insulating plate. The insulating plate at (Fig. 3) is cut away at e in order to leave room for the. contact end 0 of the spring to bend. The arrangement shown in Fig. '3 constitutes the constructional element of the switching lock.

lVhen usedfor illuminating signs. for ex-.

ample sixteen of these contact springs with I insulating strips are superimposed to form to k and Z to m are each connected to one incandescent lamp of the universal character.

Ifnow a plain cylinder adapted to connect together all the contact springs from my I to 70m were pushed over the spike h, then all -the lamps of the universal characterwould light up. However, in order to ensure that only the lamps required for the representation of one letter light up, the metal cylinder is recessed at certain parts opposite the contact springs of those lamps which are not to be lit.

This leads to the production of a member which is similar to a key with wards on opposite sides, (Fig. 5), which serves as a contact key for the switching look. A special key is necessary for each combination of the thirty-two contact springs of the lock and thus also for each letter of the alphabet and also for each numeral to be illustrated by the universal letter. o

In order to produce comprehensible illuminated messages 15 universal letters and a neceaaa corresponding number of switch locks wit-h contact keys are necessary.

Fig. 7 shows diagrammatically the elec tric connections for an illuminated sign.

The switching device of the present invention isnot merely applicable to illuminated signwvriting but can also be employed in any other branch of electrotechnics.

Now, what I claim is l. A switch comprising a stand, columns or" plates mounted thereon, said columns beingspaced irom each other, leaves of conducting material, disposed between, the plates, said leaves having resilient tongues, a spike mounted upon the stand and located between the columns and between the tongues of the leaves carried by the opposite columns, and a key having a hollow shaft adapted to fit'over the spike and r0 tate thereon and provided with a recessed blade adapted to bridge the space-between.

the opposite sets of tongues when the key is turned upon the spike. E

2. A switch of the class described comprising a plurality of blocks of contact mem bers arranged to form a space between them, each of said blocks-being composed of a plurality of superposed resilient metalstrips each having a laterally extending attaching lug, insulators arranged between said lugs, two of said strips having means for connection with the source of electricity, a post.

having a hollowshai'ttoifit on said post and be rotated thereon, said keys being each provided with a plurality of wards spaced from each other those of one key difiering from those of the other keys, said wards being. adapted to coact with said metal strips on.

the application of the key to the post and the turning thereof thereon.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature.

' (mono WERNER. 

